What Should I Do If I Was Involved in a Truck Accident and It Wasn't My Fault?
1. First and foremost, get appropriate medical attention. Your health is the first priority, as well as the health of anyone else involved in the truck accident.
2. Second, if possible, call the police. Truck drivers will sometimes accept responsibility at the scene and discourage you from calling the police. Then, after everyone is gone, they start denying responsibility.
It is perfectly appropriate, and a good idea, to make sure the police come and take statements, investigate the truck wreck, etc.
3. If you are able, get the contact information for the truck driver and any witnesses. Get insurance information. Make sure that later on, you will have witnesses to back up your version of what happened.
4. Take photographs if possible. Photos are almost always helpful. Like they say, "a picture says a thousand words." This is true with truck accident cases particularly. It is difficult for a truck driver to claim that he or she wasn't at fault when the pictures show otherwise.
5. Consider getting legal advice if you believe you have serious injuries. The trucking companies and their insurance companies almost never offer fair settlements unless a lawsuit is filed and a trial date is scheduled. And most personal injury lawyers, including our firm, offer free initial consultations to let you know what your options are.
2. Second, if possible, call the police. Truck drivers will sometimes accept responsibility at the scene and discourage you from calling the police. Then, after everyone is gone, they start denying responsibility.
It is perfectly appropriate, and a good idea, to make sure the police come and take statements, investigate the truck wreck, etc.
3. If you are able, get the contact information for the truck driver and any witnesses. Get insurance information. Make sure that later on, you will have witnesses to back up your version of what happened.
4. Take photographs if possible. Photos are almost always helpful. Like they say, "a picture says a thousand words." This is true with truck accident cases particularly. It is difficult for a truck driver to claim that he or she wasn't at fault when the pictures show otherwise.
5. Consider getting legal advice if you believe you have serious injuries. The trucking companies and their insurance companies almost never offer fair settlements unless a lawsuit is filed and a trial date is scheduled. And most personal injury lawyers, including our firm, offer free initial consultations to let you know what your options are.
